Graham Potter 'meets with Sir Jim Ratcliffe over Manchester United job'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 14 December 2023

Potter 'meets with Ratcliffe over Man United job'

Sir Jim Ratcliffe - who is expected to purchase a stake in Manchester United - reportedly targets former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter as a replacement for Erik ten Hag.

Graham Potter has reportedly emerged as a potential managerial target for Manchester United.

For a number of weeks, it has been claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the brink of purchasing a stake in United that would give him control over football operations.

That would involve transfers that may or may not be made from the January transfer window onwards and who is in the chief role in the Old Trafford dugout.

Erik ten Hag's future is considered up in the air, a consequence of United losing seven of their opening 16 Premier League fixtures and already being eliminated from the Champions League.

With the Red Devils out of Europe altogether for 2023-24, their spending capabilities next month could be hit, yet there is expected to be movement with as many as five players allegedly available for transfer for the right price.

Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives for the annual Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo on July 18, 2022 © Reuters

Whether Ten Hag will be given the opportunity to tinker with his United squad remains to be seen with a total of 24 defeats having been posted in his 86 games in charge.

Furthermore, it was claimed earlier this week that Ratcliffe held an interest in appointing former Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui as his replacement.

However, according to The Sun, Ratcliffe has already held discussions with Potter to gauge whether he would be interested in taking over at United.

Potter has been out of a job since April when he was sacked as Chelsea boss after just 31 matches, with a total of 12 wins, eight draws and 11 defeats being recorded during that time.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during EFL Cup defeat at Manchester City on November 9, 2022. © Reuters

Nevertheless, the Englishman left Stamford Bridge with his reputation intact having had to manage in excess of 30 first-team players at the club's Cobham training ground, a consequence of the spending of co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

As well as only having a marginally poorer win-ratio at Chelsea in comparison to Mauricio Pochettino, Potter also has credit in the bank from laying the foundations for Brighton & Hove Albion's progression under Roberto De Zerbi.

Ratcliffe's admiration of Potter is no secret with the 48-year-old having previously been targeted to become head coach at Nice, who are owned by Ratcliffe.

United's next three fixtures see them face Liverpool, West Ham United and Aston Villa, putting Ten Hag under increasing pressure to instigate a turnaround after home defeats to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.